For nearly half a century, Herb Ditchburn built some of the most legendary watercraft in North America. From the early 1870s to its closure in 1938, the Ditchburn Boats Company manufactured simple rowboats, luxurious launches, record-breaking speedboats, and magnificent cruisers. The Ditchburn name ruled the waves.

Now you can relive a by-gone era in this stunning pictorial about one of boating's most important families and the magnificent watercraft they made. This is the story of how one man's passion for superior design and construction defined the golden age of boating.

The lush color photography throughout the book is a sumptuous, visual feast for the boating aficionado. Each craft is beautifully photographed with rapt attention paid to every luscious curve and whimsical detail. Whether you're an enthusiast of history, design, or boating, Ditchburn Boats is a remarkable book.

This books tells the story of the enigmatic John Hacker, who started Hacker Boat Company in Detroit in 1914 and drafted some of the most successful and popular boat designs of all time. This book is organized chronologically, concentrating on the boats, the drivetrains, and the evolution of powerboat design. It highlights the life and times of John Hacker as well as the key designers that worked behind the scenes.

Climb aboard for a delightful cruise in the runabouts, cabin cruisers, and luxury yachts of the ‘50s. Unprecedented growth spawned a record number of Chris-Craft creations, including Rivieras, Cobras, Sportsmans, and Constellations, plus Cavaliers and Kit Boats, the Sea Skiffs, and Roamers. Dozens of incredible color photographs put you at the helm for a high seas tour through the popular boats of this prolific powerboat company. In the Enthusiast Color Series. Jack wrote Chris-Craft 0-7603-0606-0 and co authored Chris Craft 1922-1972 with Tony Mollica. Previously announced, spring 2002.

Books by Author - Anthony S. Mollica, Jr.

(Click for Larger Photo)

Dodge Boatsby Anthony S. Mollica, Jr.

Dodge boats is a must-have for any boating enthusiast who wishes to take a spin back through a powerful boating era. In the antique powerboat world, Dodge ranks as one of the most prolific builders of all time. Insides, readers will find the dramatic story of how one of America's elite automobile families poured its heart, soul, and personal fortune into developing some of the finest handling and most powerful boats of their time.

(Click for Larger Photo)

The American Wooden Runaboutby Anthony S. Mollica, Jr.

Magnificient mahogany-hulled runabouts with growling inboard engines deliver high-speed thrills as they slice the waves! This fabulous color volume examines the engines, hull development and styling of Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, Lyman, Century Dodge, Sea-Lyon, and Hackercraft runabouts. From the period just prior to WWI through the swingin' '60s, this book features restored and factory original examples of the stylish creations that became the sports cars of the nautical set.

This is more than the story of the person and the company he founded in 1930-it is a photohistory of the maginificent boats themselves, and the extraordinary design, craftsmanship, and materials that made them legendary. Special attention is given to the Baby Gar, as well as runabouts, speedsters, utilities, and express cruisers-all built in Wood's Michigan boatworks. Anthony S. Mollica, Jr. is a boat historian and founder of the Gar Wood Society.

The Thousand Islands region is one of the most picturesque in North America. For dedicated boating enthusiasts, it is a recreational waterway without equal. For antique boat collectors, it is a mecca of glistening mahogany and hand-polished brass.

Noted boat historian Anthoy Mollica Jr. guides readers on a tour of the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New Yor, with its in-water fleet and the area's best boatbuilding and restoration shops.

Many of the boats featured are in pristin condition and have won awards in prestigious boat shows. Other reliable vintage watercraft in regular service on the river are also shown. The boats are photographed near their boathouses, on home waters, moored dockside or at speed, giving full spray.

(Click for Larger Photo)

Chris-Craft Boatsby Anthony S. Mollica, Jr. and Jack Savage

Editors Review: Brawny inboard motors, lovingly crafted wood hulls and swank chrome accessories are all synonymous with Chris-Craft, the most prestigious name in the annals of American boating. This beautifully illustrated history of the Michigan-based company and its boats begins in 1922, when the visionary Christopher Columbus Smith and his sons formed Chris Smith & Sons Boat Company. Modern color photos depict restored runabouts and cruisers at speed and dockside, detailing the evolution of Chris-Craft from the early hand-built years through the introduction of assembly-line techniques, the move to fiberglass hulls and Chris-Craft*s demise in the 1980s. Archival photography provides an evocative historical context, while the history discusses the business climates in which Chris-Craft operated and contemporary boats from competitors.Hardcover - 168 pages (September 2001) Motorbooks International; ISBN: 0760309205 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.80 x 10.34 x 10.18

COMING JULY 2009

Chris-Craft is without doubt the most prestigious name in the history of American boatbuilders. This beautifully illustrated history of the Michigan-based company and its most significant powerboats begins in 1922, when the mercurial Christopher Columbs Smith and his three sons formed Chris Smith & Sons Boat Company. Modern color photography depicting restored and factory-original runabouts and cruisers details the evolution of Chris-Craft boats from the early hand-built years through the move to fiberglass hulls.

This gorgeous volume presents some of the best work of Benjamin Mendlowitz, one of the world's foremost photographers of the boating world. The exterior and interior views of 24 classic boats are accompanied by an informative text. The late Joel White was a writer, naval architect, and boat builder.

(Click for Larger Photo)Classic American Runabouts: Wood Boats1915-1965by Philip B. Ballantyne, Robert Bruce Duncan (Photographer)Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, Century, Stanley--all these and more of the most popular runabouts from the Roaring '20s through the Fabulous '50s are expertly chronicled in this eagerly anticipated history of America's nautical icon. While their larger speedboat cousins were powered by aircraft engines and piloted exclusively by the wealthy, early runabouts--with their more modest inboard and outboard engines--were more accessible and yet every bit as stylish in all repects.Today, even "low-end" runabouts from the golden age, with their hallmark chrome accessories and lovinglypolished wooden hulls, fetch handsome sums at classic boat shows around the world. Authors Duncan and Ballantyne feature, in exclusive color photography, many of the finest wooden powerboats still breaking the waves today. Historic black-and-white shots capture them in their heyday, along with the legends who led the way: Horace Dodge, Gar Wood, Walter Chrysler, and other giants of industryHardcover - 156 pages (April 15, 2001) Motorbooks International; ISBN: 0760303754 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.70 x 10.34 x 10.36

(Click for Larger Photo)Chris-Craft: The Essential Guideby Jerry ConradThis item will be published in January 2002. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives. A complete guide to all the different models of motor boats produced by legendary manufacturer Chris-Craft, this book includes photographs of each model, with a listing of specifications, hull numbers, and more. Comprises four main sections: Chris-Craft Main Division Boats (1922-1977),Cavalier Division Boats (1955-1969), Sea Skiff Division (1954-1969), and Roamer Division(1955-1978). For any Chris-Craft enthusiast or restorer, this book is a must! Hardcover - 336 pages (January 2002) Howell Pr; ISBN: 0917376536

(Click for Larger Photo)Chris-Craft (Hardcover)by Joseph GribbinsThe compelling story of a man, his company, and his boats, this history explores the legacy of Christopher Columbus Smith, the country's most innovative and successful production boat builder. Chris-Craft describes how Smith, together with his sons and employees, designed a pleasure boat that... Read moreHardcover - 160 pages (June 1, 2001) Devereux Books; ISBN: 1928862020 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.57 x 11.32 x 8.80

Chris-Craftby Jack SavageChris-Craft is a name synonymous with classic wooden powerboats. Founded in 1922 with a simple idea--to deliver the joys of powerboating to the middle class by building standardized runabouts--Chris-Craft grew to be a world-renowned maker of quality mahogany pleasurecraft. Chris-Craft is a rich, colorful history of the powerboats that popularized boating, and all the great boats of Chris-Craft are covered, including: Runabouts, including the famous barrelbacks Utilities such as the Sportsman and Holiday The unique Cobras and Silver Arrows Constellations and other Cruisers Sea Skiffs, Cavaliers, and Roamers

From the Publisher Chris-Craft is one of the latest in MBI Publishing's Enthusiast Color Series. Written and illustrated with the enthusiast in mind, this colorful paperback is a must for the bookshelf of anyone interested in classic boats.

The author, Jack Savage , May 13, 2000Warning! Obsession Ahead! Warning! If you don't already own an antique or classicmahogany Chris-Craft, this book may launch you on a voyage mired in obsession. As current or reformed Chris-Craft owners know, these boats capture your heart and demand that you spend every last penny restoring their glory. Chris-Craft is the best-known name in wooden powerboats, and one glimpse of a restored boat will tell you why. In this short but colorful book, I've focused on the period from 1922 (when the company began producing... read more

Cutwater : Speedboats and Launches from the Golden Age of Boatingby Robert B. Duncan (Designer) Simple and understated in design, powerful and fast in performance, these boats were built to make people happy. Stunning photos feature more than 35 classic speedboats and motor launches built between 1900 and W.W.II, still in use in Canada and the U.S., to preserve the legacy of this era of boating history. 150 color photos.

Hardcover (December 1993) Howell Press; Amazon.com Sales Rank: 75,821

The Real Runabouts IIIVolume IIIby Robert SpeltzNo Classic Wooden Boat book collection is complete without the 7 volume set written by Robert Speltz. Each volume is full of information, pictures and history of the wooden boat. "The Real Runabout" books are a valuable addition to the library of every Antique and Classic Wooden Boat enthusiast. I highly recommend every volume.

Mahogany Boats: Some of My Favorite Shots (Paperback)by Norm WangardNorm and Jim Wangardhave produced some outstanding work. Mahogany Boats Some of my Favorite Shots is a wonderful collection of some of the most beautiful Classic Boats ever produced. Mr. Wangard really captures the essence of the Classic Boat in this book.Paperback (June 1995) Classic Boating Magazine;Availability: This title is currently on backorder. We do not have a reprint date forthis title, but we expect to be able to ship it to you within 3-5 weeks. Amazon.com Sales Rank: 316,899

Classic Speedboats: 1916-1939by Gerald Guetat, Geral Guetat,Eric Ledru, James Taylor (Translator)Classic Speedboats tells the story of the speed merchants, quest for speed and power boats up to World War II. The profiles include historic boats such as Baby Bootlegger which won the Gold Cup two years running; Miss America which held the Harmsworth Trophy for more than a decade and Miss Columbiafeatured on the cover of Cutwater.Hardcover - 192 pages (February 1998) Motorbooks International; Amazon.com Sales Rank: 115,336

Wood Through Water : Classic Power Boatsby James Ogilvie Knowles, Justus Hayes, James W. Ogilvie-Knowles, James W. Ogilvie, James W. Ogilvie KnowlesBe it a small runabout or a grand sedan cruiser, the classic power boats of yesteryear share thesame essential features at heart: beautiful, flowing lines; exotic hardwoods; and the need for loving care. Wood Through Water presents the history of the personal wooden power boat, with insights into building, upkeep, and the passion that drives their owners.

With more than 100 full-color photographs and vintage archival images

Includes a variety of personal wooden power boats, from speed boats to luxury cruisers, to modern interpretations of classic designs

Includes classic models from Chris-Craft, Ditchburn, Hacker, and Gar Wood

Classic Powercraft Volume I by Norm WangardHardcover Vol 001 (November 1986)Classic Boating Magazine; Availability: This title usually ships within 4-6 weeks. Please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. We will notify youwithin 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title Amazon.com Sales Rank: 821,555

Classic Powercraft Volume IIby Norm WangardHardcover Vol 002 (November 1986)Classic Boating Magazine; Availability: This title usually ships within 4-6 weeks. Please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. We will notify youwithin 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title Amazon.com Sales Rank: 821,555

Maintenance and Boat Restoration

Wooden Boat Renovation :New Life for Old Boats Using Modern Methodsby Jim Trefethen, Clint Trefethen (Illustrator)(Click for Larger Photo)Book Description Written for the novice with shallow pockets and minimal skills, Wooden Renovation tells how to select the right old wooden boat and renovate it. Trefethen details what tools to buy and how to repair and modify the hull, topsides, deckhouse, masts, and interior; work with fiberglass; paint and refinish; and more. Trefethen's techniques use modern adhesives and laminations to replace intricate joints and heavy timbers. These modern methods are often cheaper and longer-lived than traditional ones.Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.Hardcover - 270 pages (January 1993) Intl Marine Pub; ISBN: 0070652392 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.06 x 9.57 x 7.64 Amazon.com Sales Rank: 9,095

A real practical guide in traditional wooden boat building. If you're fascinated with wooden boats and actually want to build one (or more), this is the equivalent of having an excellent teacher right there. The easy-going style and clear descriptions, with ample pictures and diagrams, means you have a very good chance of producing a fine vessel that you will be proud of. If I were re-starting by boat building book collection, this would be my first book.Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days.Hardcover - 288 pages (December 15, 1998)Wooden Boat Pub; ISBN: 0937822507 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.26 x 11.26 x 8.82 Amazon.com Sales Rank: 29,097 Popular in: InfiNet (#17)

Now two of MBI's top-selling boating titles are available in one volume. In this comprehensive restoration guide for owners and enthusiasts of wooden powerboats built from the early 1920s through the 1960s, authour Don Danenberg, one of the world's top authorities on the subject, covers all aspects of wood restoration and reconstruction, as well as hardware, running gear, wiring, plumbing, upholstery, and trailers. Fully illustrated with step-by-step color photos and written in an entertaining style that stresses sound reconstruction techniques over preservation of original components, this comprehensive volume also inclues resource listings and glossaries.